Arts Council Karachi Hosts Launch of Bashir Sadozai’s Travelogue “Roshni Kay Taaqob Mein”

 By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, hosted the book launch ceremony of renowned writer Bashir Sadozai’s travelogue on Türkiye, titled “Roshni Kay Taaqob Mein,” at Haseena Moin Hall. The event was presided over by eminent researcher and critic Professor Dr. Moinuddin Aqeel, while Dr. Nigar Sajjad Zaheer attended as the chief guest.

Prominent speakers at the ceremony included poet Feroz Natiq Khusro, Dr. Rana Khalid Mahmood Qaiser, Dr. Iftikhar Malik Advocate, Professor Raziya Subhan, Munawar Rajput, Sadaf Aram Kabir, and other distinguished literary figures.

In his presidential address, Professor Dr. Moinuddin Aqeel said that between the Pakistan Movement and the freedom struggles of the region, the Khilafat Movement remains a crucial chapter that deeply influenced the civilization, culture, and collective mindset of the subcontinent. He noted that the Ottoman Caliphate of Türkiye left a lasting imprint on South Asian history and literature, a connection that is vividly reflected in Bashir Sadozai’s travelogue. He described the book as distinctive for its keen observation, narrative depth, and refined literary style, presenting perspectives rarely found in conventional travel writing.

Chief guest Dr. Nigar Sajjad Zaheer highlighted the strong and centuries-old tradition of travel writing in Urdu literature. She noted that Ajaibat-e-Farang by Yusuf Khan Kambal Posh is considered the first Urdu travelogue and that the genre spans nearly two hundred years. She emphasized that travelogues often provide historians with insights absent from formal historical texts, adding that while reading “Roshni Kay Taaqob Mein,” the reader feels as if they are personally touring Türkiye.

Dr. Iftikhar Malik Advocate termed the book a comprehensive and valuable commentary on Türkiye’s history, civilization, culture, and public life. He said the travelogue covers six to seven cities and offers vivid portrayals of Turkish lifestyles and social values, with frequent references to Pakistan and Karachi. He added that the book could also serve as a useful resource for CSS aspirants and researchers, reflecting the author’s strong literary command.

Poet Feroz Natiq Khusro said the book is dedicated to “Mother Dear” and comprises 115 chapters. He noted that it beautifully presents centuries of history of Istanbul’s Sultan Ahmed area, along with engaging descriptions of cuisine, tea culture, architecture, palaces, and everyday life.

Professor Raziya Subhan remarked that Bashir Sadozai’s travelogues would serve as an enduring intellectual and cultural legacy for future generations, describing the book as a profound study of Türkiye’s history and heritage.

Munawar Rajput said the title “Roshni Kay Taaqob Mein” symbolically represents the pursuit of education, awareness, skill, and progress, while also acknowledging the author’s broader literary contributions.

Addressing the gathering, Bashir Sadozai expressed gratitude for the presence of distinguished scholars and literary figures. He shared that this is his fourth travelogue, with his first book published in 1996. He also announced an upcoming travelogue based on his travels to the UK and Canada, titled “Khwab Nagar Ka Musafir” (Traveler of the City of Dreams).

Explaining the symbolic episode of the “princess in the sealed box,” the author said that visitors to Ottoman palaces are provided with audio guides that narrate historical details as they move through the sites. In the book, he metaphorically refers to this guiding voice as that of a caliph’s princess. He said his objective was to offer readers an immersive experience by capturing cultures, traditions, climates, tastes, dialects, and emotions within a single narrative.

He concluded by stating that enduring travelogues are those that allow history to breathe by portraying human emotions, struggles, and contradictions. Travel writing, he added, serves as a bridge between nations and cultures and becomes a journey of self-discovery—an aim he sought to achieve through this book.

The ceremony concluded with the author thanking all guests and attendees.